On the Expedition
Help conduct urgent research into the fatal impact marine pollution is having on threatened sea turtle species.
You’ll spend the day working on North Stradbroke Island, where Dr Kathy Townsend has been studying endangered sea turtles. You’ll learn about the many threats to sea turtles, spending your morning in the lab assisting with the dissection of a dead turtle to analyze the plastics that have contributed to the turtle’s death. Then, you'll survey the shoreline for waste, record and catalogue the results and collect and remove any waste that could wash back into the ocean.
Meals and Accommodations
A buffet style lunch, water and snacks will be provided.
About the Research Area
North Stradbroke Island, one of the world's largest sand islands, is situated at the southern end of Moreton Bay, one hour from Brisbane and accessible only by ferry or water taxi from Cleveland.
The island’s sandy white dunes and beaches are sparsely vegetated and can be extremely fragile. The eastern side of the island contains the Blue Lake National Park and the southern part of the island is closed to the public due to sand mining. The island boasts a series of ecologically important wetlands and freshwater that are particularly sensitive to pollution.
The waters off North Stradbroke Island have a unique mix of colder southern and warmer northern currents. This combination provides a home for manta rays in the summer and other marine life, including sea turtles, dolphins, eagle rays, barracuda, and Spanish mackerel throughout the year.
Between June and November, humpback whales pass the island on their annual migration from Antarctica to their calving grounds near the Great Barrier Reef. And while the calves are still young, they make their return journey passing close to the island, where they can often be spotted from various lookouts.
Moreton Bay Marine Park, surrounding the island, is one of the few places in the world where large numbers of dugongs can be found. Between six and seven hundred of these shy marine mammals are thought to live in the shallow tropical waters, feeding almost exclusively on local species of sea grass.
The island’s climate is subtropical, with temperatures ranging from an average of 20°C/68°F in July to 28°C/82°F in February.
This is a one day expedition, commencing at 7.30am and concluding at 5.30pm. The contribution you make includes the ferry journey to North Stradbroke Island.